The 2017 Rockaway T20 New York Cricket Fiesta resumes play on Saturday, July 15 at the Idlewild Cricket Ground in Rosedale, Queens, NY. Now in its second year, the tournament is coming off more than a month-long break following the observance of Ramadan and unavailability of some grounds.
The teams no doubt are anxious to return to the middle and a chance at the $10,000 prize money sponsored by the Rockaway Group of Companies, with support from 11 other local businesses in the New York City area. With seven matches completed among the six teams, the New York Select XI leads with 15 points from three matches, followed by Pakistan with 10 points and a 2-1 record. Jamaica, Guyana, India and Bangladesh have each played two matches so far, with Jamaica and Guyana each on 5 points; both with 1-1 records. In the cellar at the moment are India and Bangladesh with 0-2 records, and still to post points to the leader board.
The last round of matches played on June 10 at Seaview Cricket Ground at 80th Street, in Canarsie, Brooklyn, saw Pakistan defeating Bangladesh by 61 runs. Batting first Pakistan posted 192 for the loss of 4 wickets and Bangladesh replying with 131 all out in 19.4 overs. In the second match of the double-header, Jamaica batting first posted 158 for 7 in their 20 overs, while India could only get to 117 for 7 in their 20 overs, losing to Jamaica by 41 runs.
Action from the clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
PAKISTAN vs. BANGLADESH
Top scorers in the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh encounter were Pakistani’s Syed Abdullah, 58, (Retired hurt) off 34 balls (4x6s, 3x4s) and Umar Farooq, 45 off 25 deliveries, and pummeling the Bangladeshi bowlers for 6x6s, before being out caught. Salik Iqbal contributed 34 off 35 balls. Bangladesh’s Md. Kamruzzaman had 2 for 37. The Bangladesh top scorers were Jakir Hussein with 44 (4x4s) off 40 deliveries. The other major contributors were Robin Das, 21, Opener Ali Imran, 18, and Extras, 14.
The 10 Bangladeshi wickets were shared between six of the Pakistani bowlers, with four of them grabbing two wickets apiece.
JAMAICA vs. INDIA
The Jamaica vs. India match-up saw Barrington Bartley, 45 (2x6s, 2x4s), Tristan Coleman, 38, (1×6, 3x4s) and Yannick Elliott, 32 not out (3x4s) as the major contributors to Jamaica’s total of 158. All of the other Jamaican batsmen who saw action scored nine or less runs. Extras had a modest contribution of 8 runs. Sharing the wickets for India was Rafiq Ugrader, skipper Susanta Ghosh, and Dwayne Johnson each with two scalps, and Saad Younus with 1 for 10.
India in their reply could only muster 117 in the loss, with the hard-hitting Dwayne Johnson leading the willow-wielding Indians with 20, followed by Haider Ali, 18, Rafiq Ugrader, 15 and Syed Aleem, 13. Despite six of the Indian batsmen posting double figures, none of them got pass the 20’s to threaten Jamaica in any significant way, as India recorded its second loss in as many matches.
The commentary team under the media tent.
PERFORMANCE LEADERS
At what can be considered the halfway mark of the tournament, the standout cricketers so far are listed as follows.
BATTING
Salik Iqbal leads with 135 runs from three matches and a high score of 95. He’s followed by Guyana’s Derrick Narine, 126 (76), and Waslim Haslin of NY Select XI with 125 (83). Rounding out the top five leading scorers are NY Select XI Chris Patandin 97, with a high score of 57 and Pakistan’s Umar Farooq with 94 and a top score of 45.
BOWLING
Pakistan’s Adrian Nasim has seven scalps from three matches off 11 overs, NY Select XI Waslim Haslim has six wickets off 7.5 overs and fellow teammate Terrence Madramootoo has five wickets off 11 overs. Guyana’s Keon Lake enjoys five wickets from two matches and 8 overs, followed by Pakistan’s Mohamed Khalil with 4 wickets off 12 overs, rounding out the top five leading bowling slots.
REMAINING 2017 SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 15 – Idlewild Cricket Ground, Rosedale, Queens, NY
9:00 AM – Bangladesh vs. Jamaica
12:00 PM – Guyana vs. New York Select XI
3:00 PM – Bangladesh vs. India
Saturday, July 29 – Baisley Pond Park – 150th St., & Baisley Blvd, Jamaica, NY
9:00 AM – Bangladesh vs. New York Select XI
2:00 PM – Pakistan vs. Jamaica
3:00 PM – India vs. Pakistan
Saturday, August 12 – Baisley Pond Park – 150th St., & Baisley Blvd, Jamaica, NY
10:00 AM – Guyana vs. Jamaica
2:00 PM – India vs. Guyana
SEMI-FINAL
Saturday, August 26 – Baisley Pond Park – 150th St., & Baisley Blvd, Jamaica, NY
10:00 AM – 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place
FINAL
Saturday, August 26 – Baisley Pond Park – 150th St., & Baisley Blvd, Jamaica, NY
2:00 PM – 1st Place vs. Winner of Semi-finals.
Principal sponsor of the tournament and CEO of the Rockaway Group of Companies, Mr. Hafeez Ali said, “I am very pleased with this year’s tournament so far. The teams are evenly balanced.” Adding, “The competitive bar of the competition has been elevated and it is a good thing for the level of the game in the area.”
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